Part 4 — Divine Beast

“Y-You must be mistaken!”

The miracle of Tempera Village, a sudden evolutionary jump ahead... Those who believe Ran is the first of her kind in history can’t accept that she’s just an example of a rare but well-known phenomenon. They stop eating and protest fiercely.

“You decimated Tempera Village? How can we believe that?!”

“Then allow me to name your schools. Bursting Venom Style, using Seeping Blood; Drunken Fist Style, using Inebriated Blood; Four Vessels Style, using Orb Blood; and Mist Shadow Style, using Illusion Blood. Am I wrong? I suppose that after two thousand years the names might be different, but based on your attire and body types, it seems the foundations are the same.”

Hearing Eckesachs so easily name their schools, the four freeze. Putting aside the truth of her story, she definitely knows about the Temperans.

“Oh, so, they’re weak, then? Neither berserkers and the martial artists of the Tempera Village are much to write home about, I guess.”

“Don’t be absurd. Of course they’re not weak,” Eckesachs says, rolling her eyes at Happine’s thoughtless remark. That said, just because they can use a Rare Art and have learned its techniques, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re strong. Eckesachs’ information is from two millennia ago, after all.

However, Sansui himself noted their strength after fighting them earlier. At the very least, they’ve achieved a certain level of skill. In particular, the Marked known as Ran is dangerous. Her silver hair, rippling and shimmering as though aflame, is a symbol of overflowing vitality.

“Sansui was right to warn you against fighting her. You could very well have ended up dying.”

Opponents who Sansui and Suiboku fought and defeated... Having heard that, everyone, the girls from the Tempera Village included, were treating the situation far too lightly. No longer a group wielding unknown arts, they’re a known quantity, who have already lost to people they know. Still, they remain a group that Sansui has acknowledged as strong.

“He isn’t here at the moment. He’ll return in the evening. Do you plan to wait?”

“Of course we’ll wait... But having been so thoroughly insulted, do you think I’ll just sit around while waiting?”

She’s been told that the idea that she’s the result of generations of struggle in their hidden village is simply a misunderstanding. She’s been told that she’s simply a product of chance. Talented, yes, but a well-known quantity in the history of the wider world.

“Hardly admirable, having that attitude after being so thoroughly beaten... No doubt you’re well aware that if Sansui intended to take off your heads, you’d all be dead.”

All five of them had been knocked unconscious. That’s an unalterable fact. They didn’t really survive; they were just allowed to live. They’re not survivors, just recipients of charity. In the face of a truth that many of those present have experienced themselves, the girls remain defiant.

“But we’re alive!”

Despite all of that, though, they’re undeniably still alive. That means that they haven’t yet lost. In that respect, they’re of a mindset that Eckesachs herself is rather fond of.

“I suppose that’s one way of thinking... Sunae, this is a good opportunity for you.”

“I must say, I agree. Indeed, if the opponent is Marked, fighting her is my duty as a Spirit Summoner.”

Though unaware of the other four styles, Sunae is familiar with the Marked. Though not driven by bloodlust, she’s still overflowing with aggression, and faces off with the silver-haired demon with an air of one fulfilling her duty.

“If you’ve had time to digest, fight me. Let me teach you who it is that has truly surpassed the limits of what it means to be human.”

“...With pleasure!”

Evidently having eaten enough to be sated for the time being, Ran quickly hops onto her feet. She then drops into a stance, ensuring a substantial distance between herself and her opponent on the wide plain. Saiga is torn as he watches this unfold. It’s not that he wants to fight, but he’s not pleased that Sunae is asked to fight rather than him doing it himself.

The same is true of Happine, who puts voice to her displeasure.

“Say... Eckesachs. You know Sunae wasn’t able to beat Saiga, right? Why are you pitting that Sunae against the berserker?”

Berserkers... There aren’t many who know the details of what exactly they are. The legends around them are well-known because of their spectacular nature, but the principles that underlie their nature are only speculated as some kind of Rare Art, nothing more. Eckesachs is probably the first one to ever confirm the mechanics underlying the legend.

“Because she can definitely win. Frankly, a Marked can’t possibly defeat a Spirit Summoner.”

“That’s correct. As Sunae noted, fighting the Marked is the duty of those who wield Spirit Summoning,” Tahlan says, in support of Eckesachs’s observation. The prince, who is known as his kingdom’s greatest swordsman and a master of Shadow Summoning, looks on wistfully as his younger sister prepares to fight.

“It’ll be fine... There’s no way Ran will lose...” the four girls from the Tempera Village say to themselves, as though trying to shore up their faltering faith. There’s one truth they know: That there is no one in Tempera Village who can match her. Indeed, even when all of the skilled masters in the village got together, they couldn’t put up a real fight against her.

Ran is the greatest warrior in the world. The four girls still cling desperately to that illusion.

“You’re not going to use a weapon?”

“I will not. Those who are to inherit the crown of Magyan fight with tooth and claw.”

Ran and Sunae... Both of them are agitating to fight and both are certain of victory. This, despite knowing that their opponent is strong. Moreover, neither has an inkling of doubt that they’ll end up as the victor. It’s impossible to tell which one is right. There are things that must happen to know the outcome, and no doubt neither will be satisfied without an actual battle. However, there are things here that are already clear.

“...I know that gaze. The gaze of the arrogant who underestimate me. I’ve brought down everyone who’s ever looked at me that way. Doing so is what brings me joy!”

“I know your gaze, too. The gaze of an overconfident young girl, with blind confidence in her strength.”

“Hehehe... You even say the same things as the others! Now, let me prove you wrong! Just as I’ve done with all the others before you!”

Ran doesn’t know Sunae, nor does Sunae know Ran. However, Ran is ignorant of Spirit Summoning, while Sunae is acquainted with the Marked.

“O Great Lion, Guardian of our Royal House, impose your presence upon this world, with my body as your vessel!”

Spirit Summoning, the Rare Art wielded by those with the Royal Presence... With the activation of her Art, Sunae transforms into a giant lion. From two legs to four legs, from the form of a human to the form of a lion. A giant lioness that’s so tall that one would have to crane their neck to look up at her. Having seen this for the first time, the four girls from the Tempera Village stare in open-mouthed shock.

“Fwahahahahaha! I see, I see! So that’s your power! Your martial art!”

But Ran is unfazed. She dashes forward at a tremendous pace, as though saying Sunae’s just made herself a bigger target. Her speed is such that even the Arcanians, who’ve almost grown accustomed to the speed of Sansui’s Flash Step, are caught by surprise.

“But the bigger you are, the more fun you are to clobber!”

There’s simple logic behind rapid movement, and their master has repeatedly hammered home just how important it is when fighting against a group. Her ability to move quickly...they understand her strength just from seeing that.

“No caution... Reckless!”

With her body protected by fur, Sunae also dashes forward without hesitation. Her speed, combined with the sheer size of her body, makes her appear even faster than Ran. But Ran understands Sunae’s vulnerabilities with the merest glance.

“Hahah! You’re as dumb as a beast!”

It’s no illusion; she’s actually grown larger. With this knowledge, the large body itself becomes a fatal flaw. There’s no doubt that being able to move quickly with that large form is a sign of strength. However, a large body means a heavy body, and when heavy objects move quickly, they’re not capable of rapid changes in direction. Even if Ran’s opponent is quicker, she can still follow her movements, which means the difference in speed isn’t really an issue.

The giant lioness attempts to claw Ran apart with her paw. After easily avoiding this attack, she ducks under the arm and lands a punch into Sunae’s torso.

“Hah! The old men in the village were more entertaining than this!”

Ran puts her entire weight behind the punch; moving at top speed, she lands the punch on a weak point, like a counterpunch. She feels the blow land and is sure she’s beaten her opponent. Ran is convinced that she’d won.

“...I see.”

In spite of this, Sunae sweeps her forelegs, dropping her below her own stomach.

“Don’t think that you’ve won, Marked one. Don’t presume to think of Spirit Summoning as though you are dealing with humans or with beasts.”

“Grr... Hahahahaha!”

The sweeping blow takes a good chunk off of Ran’s body. She lies there with her skin in tatters, flesh torn and bone showing from her wounds, bleeding onto the plain. Seeing her, most of the observers think the match is over.

But the four from the Tempera Village are different. They have faith that victory would arrive, so long as that mad laugh continues to ring out.

“To take one of my blows directly and not only still stand, but attack me in turn! Amusing... How fun!”

“Ah, so, you are as mad as the legends say.”

It wasn’t madness triggered by the approach of death, of course. Ran’s body repairs itself in seconds. The skin, the flesh, the blood...all of it returns to normal. Only her tattered clothing remains as a testament to her previous injuries.

“Hahaha! Did you think you could beat me so easily?!”

“Hrmph... Then I’ll play with you a bit longer.”

The fighting ultimately looked inconclusive. With greater raw speed and defense, Sunae could still attack her opponent even while taking blows, while Ran, with her agility and healing speed, keeps landing full strength blows of her own. The fight appears to be without end.

“...Sunae.”

Watching the fight, Tahlan is struck by the power of Spirit Summoning. He sees the sheer strength in the power that he can never use himself.

“It’s over...Ran’s won this.”

The four girls from the Tempera Village, on the other hand, are confident that the match has now settled into a pattern leading to victory. In the fight this morning, Ran lost consciousness from a single blow, but things are different now. Even as she takes her opponent’s blows, she’s staying conscious. In that case, there’s no way their symbol of hope can possibly lose.

“W-What’s with that person...?! She’s laughing while getting all bloodied!”

Zuger is on the verge of tears. There’s likely no form of torture or execution that comes with as much pain as is being inflicted on Ran in this match. Even taking into account her healing abilities, it’s impossible to understand how she can keep laughing and continue a battle that is a constant stream of agonizing pain. Further, this is just a random fight, with nothing else on the line. To Zuger, it beggars belief.

“Wait, aren’t things pretty bad for her right now? I mean, even if she’s bigger and tougher, if she keeps getting hit like that...”

Happine also appears to be getting worried. She knows the properties of Spirit Summoning. Even if it enhances the user’s physical abilities, it doesn’t heal their body. She’s also heard that when it comes to their own bodies, the Marked have healing even superior to the Mystic Arts. In her view, this constant exchange of blows seems disadvantageous to Sunae.

“...When looking at the raw mechanics behind the Marked, the effects manifest as pure enhancement of physical abilities. This is bothersome, as it also improves reflexes and concentration, making them extremely good at evading attacks.”

Even from Eckesachs’s point of view, with her knowledge backed with plentiful experience, the idea that Ran couldn’t lose if she could fight someone a second time is true, to a certain extent. With their lack of fear, the Marked can observe their opponent’s actions, identify techniques and movements, and figure out countermeasures. It’s natural to think that a longer fight would be to Ran’s advantage.

“Read the enemy’s movements and attack in a way they can’t counter... That’s how the Marked fight.”

However, Eckesachs remains calm. She had already determined that a fight between a Spirit Summoner and Marked would go this way.

“They know neither fear nor fatigue, they become stronger the more they fight, and they use these advantages to overcome their enemies. In a battle between two humans, there’s likely few opponents as bothersome. But...that’s limited to battles between humans.”

“Yes, that’s correct. In our recorded history, there’s not a single instance of a Marked defeating a Spirit Summoner,” Tahlan says, confirming Eckesachs’s observation. Frankly, the outcome of this fight was never in doubt. The match-up was simply far too tilted in Sunae’s favor, especially since she’s also been taught specifically how to deal with the Marked.

“With their regeneration abilities and learning abilities, they can certainly adapt to an opponent’s moves. That’s true. It’s not an exaggeration to say that the Marked become stronger the more they fight. However, that only means they get better at reading their opponent’s moves.”

It’s an extremely bloody battle, but Eckesachs is completely unfazed. Because she foresaw the results, because she knew this is how it would go, there’s nothing for her to feel as it goes exactly as she expected.

Becoming stronger in this case means optimization: using the minimum needed movement to avoid the opponent’s attack and landing the strongest possible counter-attack on the enemy. This is the strength common to all Marked, not just Ran. However, that’s all it is.

“Allow me to be blunt. If things continue in this way, your side will lose. She’ll exhaust herself first.”

“Y-You’re lying! There’s no way Ran will lose!”

It’s only natural that the four martial artists would protest Tahlan’s declaration. There’s no apparent change in the fight between the two. They keep trading blows. It’s hard to imagine that one side is losing given the current situation.

“That girl is certainly strong. After all, the Marked only appear from the most talented of those with the Tainted Blood. She has a once-in-several-generations kind of talent. By way of contrast, and compared to most Spirit Summoners, Sunae’s talents aren’t extraordinary. She does have the Royal Presence, but it’s not as though she’s particularly talented with it.”

One intensely gifted with the Tainted Blood, and an ordinary possessor of the Royal Presence. What lies beyond a clash between these two is a single inevitable result.

“But... Talent alone decides nothing, in and of itself.”

An unending exchange of blows... The fight appears unchanging. However, a change slowly becomes apparent in Ran: her rippling silver hair is slowly turning brown.

“To put it simply, while the Marked can increase their physical abilities, there’s an upper limit to how much they can strengthen themselves. No matter how long a battle lasts, their actual physical strength doesn’t increase. And, of course, neither does their weight.”

The logic is simple. What’s the most powerful blow possible? It comes from moving at top speed, with all of one’s weight behind it, aimed at a single point. It would be different if she had a special technique, like a Ki Wave, but all Ran can do is hit hard. There’s nothing beyond that. As such, she simply doesn’t have the firepower to take down a Spirit Summoner.

“Spirit Summoners still have weak points, of course. If she can hit them precisely, she still has a chance at turning the tide. But no matter how quickly and accurately a Marked can move, the opponent is a giant beast, and one who retains their rational mind. Of course they wouldn’t let them just land a blow directly on a weak point.”

Placing a full-strength blow with all their weight behind it precisely into a vulnerable point... As the Marked also enhance their reflexes, no doubt that this is possible against a human. However, Spirit Summoners also strengthen their reflexes. They may not be able to avoid the attack, but they can shift enough to avoid taking the hit directly on a vulnerable spot.

“And even if she has a greater affinity for the Tainted Blood, it’s still within reasonable limits. It’s not as though she’s completely beyond reason like House Caputo’s ace. It’s one thing to continue boosting her physical abilities, but if she keeps taking blows from the Spirit Summoner... The amount of energy she expends in healing becomes enormous.”

Of course, if the Marked wishes to, they could probably defend against blows from a Spirit Summoner. However, if it’s timed for right after they’ve landed a full-strength attack, even if they know the counterattack is coming, they can’t avoid it. As warriors driven by battle frenzy, the Marked get lost in their focus on attacking and lose sight of that fact.

“Ordinarily, maintaining the form of a giant beast is a burden of its own, so the Spirit Summoner must contend with their limits. In that sense, the Marked are better in an endurance battle. If a Marked emphasizes their agility and focuses on evasion, then they probably shouldn’t lose, by the numbers. However, because they’re driven to throw aside any regard for their own safety to attack and attack...”

Two young women clash, inflicting pain on one another. The one who falls first is not the weaker one, but the one who made a costly mistake. She collapses as her hair, silver since the day she was born, turns to its natural brown.

Feeling fatigue and suffering for the first time in her life, Ran sees just how much larger the world is than she imagined, as she slams into the wall of her own limits.